Workpiece manufacturing and machining device

ABSTRACT

An arrangement wherein a plurality of machine tools are arranged in a row with each machine tool having an spindle and a tool changing device on each side for inserting tools into the spindle or removing tools from the spindle. On each side of each machine tool is a tool storage element for cooperation with the tool changing devices and each having an endless tool supporting conveyor. The storage elements between adjacent machine tools can cooperate with the machine tool on each side thereof while all storage elements cooperate with a main storage element extending along the row of machine tools. Each machine tool also has a workpiece supply conveyor leading from the machine tool to a main workpiece conveyor and storage device adjacent the main tool storage element. The installation is under automatic control for the supply of tools to the machine tools and the movement of workpieces therebetween and for the exchange of tools between the machine tools and between the main tool storage element and the machine tools or the storage elements adjacent the machine tools.

United States Patent [19] R6121 et al.

Jan. 1, 1974 1 WORKPIECE MANUFACTURING AND MACHINING DEVICE [75]Inventors: Horst Hiilzl, Ludwigsburg; Max

Rosskopf, Marbach; Laszlo Csikor, Ludwigsburg, all of Germany [73]Assignee: Karl Huller Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung,Ludwigsburg, Germany [22] Filed: Jan. 11, I971 [2]] Appl. No.: 105,569

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 10, 1970 Germany P 20 00998.7

[52] US. Cl. 29/568, 29/563 [51] Int. Cl B23q 3/157, B23q 41/02 [58]Field of Search 29/568, 26 A, 563, 29/33 P; 214/164 B [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,576,540 4/l97l Fair 29/568 X 3,543,39212/1970 Perry et al. 29/568 X 3,587,873 6/1971 Lohneis 29/568 X3,242,568 3/1966 Flannery et al 29/568 3,536,209 10/1970 Burch 214/164 MF I 7 -1 72 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. Juhasz Assistant ExaminerB. R.Bilinsky Att0rney--Walter Becker 57] ABSTRACT An arrangement wherein aplurality of machine tools are arranged in a row with each machine toolhaving an spindle and a tool changing device on each side for insertingtools into the spindle or removing tools from the spindle. On each sideof each machine tool is a tool storage element for cooperation with thetool changing devices and each having an endless tool supportingconveyor. The storage elements between adjacent machine tools cancooperate with the machine tool on each side thereof while all storageelements cooperate with a main storage element extending along the rowof machine tools. Each machine tool also has a workpiece supply conveyorleading from the machine tool to a main workpiece conveyor and storagedevice adjacent the main tool storage element. The installation is underautomatic control for the supply of tools to the machine tools and themovement of workpieces therebetween and for the exchange of toolsbetween the machine tools and between the main tool storage element andthe machine tools or the storage elements adjacent the machine tools.

24 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures WORKPIECE. MANUFACTURING AND MACHININGDEVICE The present invention relates to a work piece processing devicewith a plurality of machine tools serving as machining stations andpreferably controlled numerically. it is these machin'e' tools to whichthe work piece is successively fed via a conveyor train.

it is known to interlink a plurality of numerically controlled machinetools in such a way that an automatic working and machining cycle willbe effected. In this connection, a plurality of machine tools may bearranged relative to each other in such a way that the work piece istransported from one machine tool to the next machine tool while'eachmachine tool has a perforated or punched tape which has been programmedby means of a calculator. in order to obtain an economic working cyclefor the individual machine tools, these individual machines mayadditionally be controlled by a superimposed computer which controls theentire manufacturing system and keeps the individual machines controlledrelative to each other. Heretofore known numerically controlledproduction devices of the type involved have, however, the drawback thatthe entire manufacturing process is disturbed when one of the machinetools which forms part ofthe chain of machine tools drops out or fails.Such stoppage of the entire installation in view of the stoppage of asingle machine tool may result in an uneconomical operation of theentire installation.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a workpiece processing and providing system which will be able to continueoperating. even when a considerable percentage of the machine toolsserving as machining stations should fail or drop out.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device orarrangement as set forth in'the preceding paragraph which will be ableeconomically to produce in mass production not only large numbers ofwork pieces but will also offer the possibility of fully automaticallyand economically machining individual work pieces only.

For an economic production of small numbers of work pieces, it is,however, not sufficient merely that for the individual workingoperations there will be available a small number of from or tools. Itis, therefore, a further object of the present invention so to providearrangements of the type set forth in the two preceding paragraphs thatabove all with anumerically controlled working process for a greatnumber of changing small series ofwork pieces, there-will'exist thepossibility to make available a considerable number of tools, forinstance 250 and in conformity with a program for a respective smallseries of work pieces to introduce these tools into the working.spindles of the machine tools.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear moreclearly from the following specification in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates atop view of a manufacturing system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side viewof the manfacturing system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line lIl Ill of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows on a somewhat larger scale than FIG. 1 approximately halfof the left-hand side of FIG. 1.

The above outlined objects have been realized according to the presentinvention by providing that each of the machine tools has associatedtherewith an internal tool storage device which is preferably designedas a rotating transporting device. A particularly favorable arrangementis obtained when, in conformity with a further development of theinvention, between each two adjacent machine tools there is arranged acommon tool storage device in such a way that both machine tools haveaccess to the common tool storage device. According to a preferredarrangement, the machine tools are arranged parallel and in spacedrelationship to each other but at the same level with a plane whichvertically crosses their tool spindles.

A particularly advantageous design of a manufacturing and machiningdevice is obtained if in conformity with a further development of theinvention, each machine tool comprises two tool grasping devices whichare operable independently of each other by remote control and arearranged on one each of the two machine sides between the machine andone of the tool storage devices. In this instance, it can withoutdifficulty be assured that with a greater number of machine tools onboth sides of each machine tool there is arranged one each of twointernal tool storage means and that each individual machine tool willhave access through its two tool grasping devices to said two toolstorage devices. In this way, the number of the tools to which eachindividual machine tool will have access can be doubled. A particularlyfavorable arrangement will be obtained when the individual machine toolsare arranged between two tool storage means, which means if with regardto a number n of machine tools the number of tool storage means amountsto n l. The tool storage means designed as transporting devices may havethe form of chains or of turrets. It has proved particularlyadvantageous to design the two tool storage means in the form of endlesstransporting belts or chains having two reversing zones. If only tworeversing zones are provided, the sections of the transporting belts orchains located between the two reversing zones are approximatelyparallel to the axis of rotation of the tool spindle of the machinetool. it is these tool storage means into which are advantageouslyinserted those tools which with the intended working and machiningprograms will be used continuously or at least frequently. However, inorder to be able to also introduce into the machining system lessfrequently used tools or tools required in individual special workingprograms only, it is, according to a further suggestion of the presentinvention, proposed that always one of the reversing zones of thetransporting belts or transporting chains is arranged in the vicinity ofa tool-receivinglarge magazine from which these less frequently employedtools can be withdrawn. This large or giant magazine may in additionthereto be able to place into readiness replacement pieces for the morefrequently used tools which can easily be exchanged for damaged tools.Transporting belts or chains provided with two reversing zones andmoving substantially parallel with regard to the axis of rotation of themachine tool, are preferably arranged where they are exposed only to theaccess from a single machine tool and the tool grasping devicepertaining thereto, namely on the outside of a row comprising aplurality of machine tools. In contrast thereto, for the common toolstorage means arranged between two machine tools it is provided thatthey comprise three reversing zones which form the corners of apreferably isosceles triangle, one of the corners preferably beinglocated in the vicinity of the toolreceiving giant magazine, whereas theother two corners are located in the vicinity of one of the toolgraspingdevices each of the two machine tools.

When a plurality of tool storage means are provided which serve ascirculating transporting devices, the number of the tools alreadyprevailing may be further increased considerably by providing thataccording to a further suggestion of the invention, there is provided atool-transporting carriage which stops in the vicinity of all of thereversing zones of the tool carriage means which are located in thevicinity of the tool-receiving giant magazine. The path of saidtool-transporting carriage is at least approximately parallel to thelongitudinal direction of the giant magazine and/or extendsperpendicularly with regard to the axes of rotation of the tool spindlesof the machine tools. Such an arrangement offers the possibility thatthe tool-transporting carriage can move along the giant magazine and,more specifically, along its longitudinal direction and can pick up thethere stored tools in conformity with the requirement and can receivethe tools in the sequence controlled by the computer, and as the casemay be, can be exchanged for other tools. in order to reduce the numberof trips and to reduce the driving paths, it is possible expediently onthe tool transport carriage to provide a greater number of receivingmeans, preferably of at least five receiving means for exchangeabletools.

In conformity with the present invention, it is further provided thatrecords arranged stationarily in the toolreceiving giant magazine areprovided for the tools there to be arranged. in this way, it will bepossible without risking the danger of injuries which occur infrequentlywith the heretofore known circulating magazines to manually withdrawindividual tools from the magazine and to replace the same manually byother tools.

According to a further suggestion of the invention, it is provided witha plurality of adjacent machine tools of which each is equipped with twotool-grasping devices, so to design the two tool-grasping devicesarranged between two adjacent machine tools of which one each pertainsto another one of the two machine tools, that a transfer of one toolfrom one machine tool will be possible to the adjacent machine tool.

Whereas the heretofore suggestions are directed to place into readinessas great a number of tools for each ofthe machine tools and, to simplifyexchange-ability of the tools from machine to machine, the now followingsuggestions in conformity with the invention concerns above all thetransport of the work pieces to be machined and also concern the manualexchangeability of the individual machining operations on the machinetools which can take the place of each other. To this end, it has beensuggested in accordance with a further development of the invention,that at least two of the machine tools, preferably, however, all machinetools, will have identical tool-receiving means. it is particularlyadvantageous in this connection if of the machine tools at least two,preferably, however, all of them, are designed as universal machinetools. According to a further suggestion of the invention, it isprovided that each machine tool has a remote control work pieceexchanging unit. Advantageously, each work piece exchanging unit isprovided with two receiving stations rotatable or pivotable relative toeach other by for each supporting plate with a work piece which is to befastened on the carrier plate and to be machined.

The intended easy by-pass of a machine tool which has become defectiveand the maintaining of a machining program which incidentally has notbeen disturbed, may, according to a further important feature of theinvention, be realized by associating one ofa plurality of work piececonveying belts for each machine tool. By means of these work piececonveying belts, the work pieces to be machined are conveyed to themachine tools, preferably individually from an intermediate storagemeans, and after the machining process are conveyed into theintermediate storage means. Such intermediate storage means mayadvantageously be de' signed stationarily and may simultaneously serveto store the work pieces prepared for machining, including their carrierplates until they are introduced into the machining process.Expediently, the conveyor belts may at least approximately be parallelto the axes of the tool spindle of the respective machine tool.Advantageously, all of the conveyor belts are at least approximatelyparallel to each other.

According to a further development of the invention, it is provided thatthe conveyor belts are arranged perpendicularly with regard to thelongitudinal side of the intermediate storage means the length of theintermediate storage means may be selected so large that all conveyorbelts can be distributed over the length of the intermediate storagemeans, preferably at equal distances. In order to increase the receivingcapacity of the intermediate storage means, the latter may have at leastthree stories. For withdrawing the work pieces from the intermediatestorage means and for transferring the work pieces to the respectivemachining station or machine too], there are provided conveyor beltsaccording to which in conformity with a further development of theinvention there is at least along one longitudinal side of theintermediate storage means provided a work piece transport carriagewhich is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of said intermediatestorage means. The said transport carriage is with a multi-stage designof the intermediate storage means displaceable in longitudinal directionas well as in vertical direction.

In order to be able to enlarge the manufacturing device sectionwise sothat it will have a higher capacity, it is furthermore suggestedaccording to the invention that the manufacturing and machining devicemay be composed of a plurality of building groups each of whichcomprises a machine tool, at least one toolgrasping device, at least aninternal tool storage means, a work piece changing device, and a workpiece conveying belt.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the manufacturing andprocessing device illustrated therein comprises four machine tools l1,12, 13 and 14 which serve as machining stations and preferably areidentical, universal machines. Each of these machine tools hasassociated therewith one of four numerically controlled devices 15 whichin conformity with machining programs stored therein are adapted throughthe intervention of hydraulic control devices l6, 17 to act upon theindividual machining stations and the auxiliary devices pertainingthereto which will be described further below. The numerical controldevices are in their turn checked by a central computer 18 and ifnecessary also controlled. Depending on the type of the tool insertedinto the rotating working spindle 20, the individual machine tools 11-14may carry out different machining operations such as drilling, milling,etc. According to the specific example shown in FIG. 3, a miller orcutter 2l-has been inserted into the machine tool 11.

In order to be able for the frequently repeated machining operationsrequiring different tools to keep in readiness the necessary basic toolsin the necessary number and with sufficiently short feeding strokes andfeeding times, each of the machine tools 11-14 has in conformity withthe basic principle of the invention associated therewith at least oneinternal tool storage means designed as circulating transporting device.According to the specific embodiment of the invention as illustrated,the two tool storage means 31, 32 are arranged on the outside of themachine tool series. These tool storage means 31, 32 comprise in anendless chain (indicated merely by dash lines) 38 receiving means (notillustrated in detail) for each of the outer machine tools 11 and 14.These endless chains of the two tool storage means 31 and 32 are guidedvia two reversing stations namely a front reversing station 33 in thevicinity of the tool spindle of the pertaining machine tool, and arearward reversing station 34 parallel to the longitudinal axis of itspertaining machine tool. In the interior of the machine tool series,there are provided three tool storage means 35, 36 and 37 which serve ascirculating endless transporting devices. These tool storage means arerespectively located in the space between two machine tools "-14 andeach of which comprises two front reversing stations 38 and 39 in thevicinity of the tool spindles 20 and a rearward reversing station 40.These reversing stations are arranged at the corners of an isoceles theline of height of which extends through the rearward reversing station40 and the axis of symmetry of which is parallel to the axes of themachine tools. In order to make sure that each of the machine tools canbe supplied from two directly adjacent tool storage means with thenecessary tools, on each of the two sides of the machine tool 11 thereare provided two gripping devices 41 and 42 forming an image to eachother and operable hydraulically by the pertaining numerical controldevice 15. Furthermore, on both sides ofthe machine tool 12 there areprovided one oftwo tool gripping devices 43 and 44 while on the machinetool 13 there is provided one of two gripping devices 45, 46 each whileon the fourth machine tool 14 there are provided two gripping devices 47and 48 each of which has access to one of the tool storage means 31, 32and -37. Each of the three inn'er internal triangularly designed toolstorage means 35, 36 and 37 is adapted to receive approximately fiftybasic tools so that a total of approximately two hundred twenty basictools can'be kept in readiness by the tool storage means 31 and 32 and35-37. These basic tools are adapted in view of the fact that on bothsides two gripping devices each 41,42; 43,44; 45,46; and 47,48 can beexchanged from tool storage to tool storage. Such an exchange mayadditionally be effected by the tool transport carriage 50 when moved tothe rearward reversing stations 34 and of the tool storage means. Thetool carriage 50 has associated therewith a path 51, 52 which extendsover all of the tool storage means and is arranged transverse to theaxes of the machine tools.

By means of the carriage 50, it is possible to move approximately fiftyindividual tools which have become defective or have to be post-ground,from the storage means 31 and 32 as well as from 35 to 37 into a gianttool magazine 55 provided with the corresponding space for receiving thetools. This giant tool magazine furthermore may keep in readiness agreat number of special tools which by means of the tool transportingcarriage can be moved into those tool storage means and to those machinetools where they are required. The giant tool magazine extends parallelto the transporting path 51, 52 of the carriage 50 and mayadvantageously be designed in the illustrated manner as shelf means. Itthus receives all those basic and special tools which may be required inconnection with one of the many process machining operations programmedin the numeral control device 15.

If for instance for a certain machining operation required on one of thework pieces which may be different from each other, a tap drill 22 isrequired, this tap drill will be located at a point of the giantmagazine 55 which is provided in the stored program and to which pointthe tool transport carriage 50 may be directed by one of the numericalcontrol devices 15 or computer 18 and where the necessary special toolcan be withdrawn. in order to make sure that the carriage 50 does nothave to be actuated because ofa single special too], said carriage 50has a greater number of receiving means for such tools (in theillustrated embodiment ten) and will be able in view of the numericalinsert in the cycle, to pick those tools from the giant tool magazinewhich said carriage has to supply soon and brings the same to theprovided machining station. On the other hand, said carriage withdrawsfrom the tool storage means 31, 32; 35-37 those tools which are nolonger necessary and places the same into the giant tool magazine 55.The tool transport carriage 50 thus connects the giant tool magazine 55with the individual machining stations. The advantage of thisarrangement will easily be evident from the following.

it may be assumed that one of the machine tools drops out in view ofsome failure. While in such an instance the overall output of themachining device drops, this disorder may be taken into consideration byso-called disorder programs in the numerical control device and in thecomputer, and shifts the operations which were to be carried out on thefailing machine to the remaining machine tools. This makes it necessarythat also the corresponding tools be shifted for use on the othermachines so that the failing machine tool can be disengaged from therest of the series. This shifting of the tools from the failing machineto the other machine tools is carried out by means of the tool transportcarriage 50 which automatically moves these tools to one of the othermachines. In view of this exchange operation of the tools, it will bepossible in case of a failure of a machine to maintain the remainingmachines of the machining device in operation and to obtain an outputwhich while less than the normal output still represents an optimumoutput without the necessity of stopping the entire series. The failingmachine can easily be disengaged and repaired. Later, the repairedmachine tool can be again added to the remaining machines of the seriesand will be active again after the tools have been introduced.

For purposes of further increasing the safety of operation and to reducethe liability of failure, it is provided according to the presentinvention that the work pieces to be machined are fed to the individualmachines not in an automatic circulation which is liable to disorders,but individually and so that it can be interrupted at any desired time.To this end, it is provided that each of the machine tools 11-14 hasassociated therewith its own conveyor belt namely one of the conveyorbelts 61-64. On these conveyor belts, the work pieces (one illustratedat 60) may be withdrawn from a work piece storage means 70 for purposesof being machined on the respective machine tool and after completion ofthis machining operation may be again returned to the work piece storagemeans 70.

In order to reduce the space requirement for the work piece storagemeans 70 to a minimum, the latter is in the form of a structural shelfunit with the giant magazine 55 as is clearly indicated in FIG. 3. Onthat side of the storage means 70 which faces away from the machinetools, there is provided a loading station 71 where the work piecesintended for machining are connected to support 72 forming work piececarriers and then together with the latter may be introduced into thestorage means 70. On the same side of the storage means but in spacedrelationship to the loading station 71, there is provided a dischargingstation 73 where the work pieces following their machining may bewithdrawn from the supports 72. The work piece storage means 70 issub-divided into two stories namely an upper storage story 75 and alower storage story 76. Each of these stories will, as will be evidentfrom FIGS. 1 and 4, offer space for a number of supports and as the casemay be, for work pieces connected thereto, inasmuch as the storage means70 as well as the tool giant magazine 55 and the moving path of thecarriage 50 extend so far that it covers all of the machine tools, thetool storage means thereof and the individual conveyor belt 61-64. Thework pieces which in a loading station 71 are connected to a support 72may from there be inserted into one of the stories which are open at theback side 77 facing away from the machine tool and are therefore freelyaccessible. In a manner known per se, a signal may be transmitted to oneof the numerical control devices 15 or the computer 18 to indicate wherethe individual work piece has to be unloaded in the storage means.

According to the illustrated embodiment, two work piece transportingdevices 78 and 79 are provided which are movable independently of eachother. Of these devices 78 and 79, the device 78 serves for introducingand withdrawing the work piece into and out of the storage means 70. Theother transporting device 79 serves for withdrawing the stored workpieces from their storage position and to feed them to the individualwork piece conveyor belt 61-64. Both work piece transporting devices 78and 79 may move in the longitudinal direction of the storage means 70parallel to the path 51, 52 of the carriage 50 and may also moveupwardly and downwardly for serving the two storing storres.

The above described design of the work piece manufacturing andprocessing device has, over heretofore known devices of the typeinvolved, the great advantage that the storing position for the toolsand work pieces permit an easy watching and checking, and that thedevices for transporting the workpieces and tools leave a sufficientlylarge and easily checkable free space of movement around the machinetool whereby it will be possible in case of damage to disengage anindividual machine without affecting the machining process of the othermachines and if necessary again to insert the failing and repairedmachine. A further important advantage of the device according to theinvention is seen in the fact that the work pieces can be individuallywithdrawn from the storage places and can individually be brought to theconveyor belt of that machine tool which has been programmed also forthe intended machining operation.

By means of the respective conveyor belt, the work piece is then movedto one of the four identical work piece changing devices each of whichis arranged on one of the four machine tools in the vicinity of the toolspindle thereof. Each of these work piece exchange units 80 has .tworeceiving stations 81 and 82 for one each of the supports 72 providedwith a work piece. Advantageously, the work piece exchange unit 80 is sodesigned that it forms a pivotable table while a new work piece to bemachined is moved or inserted into one of the two work piece receivingmeans 81 and 82 when the work piece located in the other work piecereceiving means is being machined by the machine tool. When themachining process has been completed, a work manipulator (not shown inthe drawing) withdraws the work piece from its machining position andpivots the work piece exchanging device by and brings the next not yetmachined work piece into machining position. in this way, it will beeasily possible to reduce dead periods to a minimum. An importantfeature of the machining device according to the invention consists inthat the finish machined work piece can principally be returned to thework piece storage means 70, and more specifically, through a conveyorbelt 61-64 which is reversible as to its direction of movement. Anotheradvantage consists in that the work piece is deposited in the storagemeans 70 before it is withdrawn for machining in one of the next machinetools. When the work piece deposited in the storage means is to bemachined further, it will again be withdrawn by one of the numericalcontrol devices 15 or directly by the computer 18 and by means of thework piece transporting device 79 will be moved to that one of theconveyor belts 61-64 on which the work piece can be fed to the intendedmachine tool,

in view of the design according to the invention, it is possible tomaintain an uninterrupted operation of the machining device even thougha machine may fail or if individual machines of the respective serieshave to be reset. The required servicing and operation merely consistsin chucking the individual work pieces to a support or to remove thework pieces therefrom the by effecting a control operation for thepost-grinding or the replacement of damaged tools. In this connection,it is possible without difficulties to check the tools if they are notchucked into a machine tool and to carry out this checkingautomatically. It is expedient to keep in readiness all those basictools which are used more frequently and to keep these tools inreadiness in a double number namely once in the tool storage means andonce in the giant tool magazine 55.

it is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by nomeans, limited to the particular showing in the drawings but alsocomprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an arrangement for processing workpieces; a plurality of machinetools arranged in a row, conveyor means to move workpieces successivelyto said machine' tools for being processed therein, and tool storagemeans associated with said machines for the storage of tools therein,said tool storage means and machine tools including means for theautomatic transfer of tools therebetween, said tool storage meanscomprising at least one endless circulating tool transport meansadjacent each said machine tool, each tool transport means having atleast two reversing zones, one of said reversing zones being locatedadjacent the respective machine tool for the transfer of toolstherebetween, a main tool storage device extending along all of saidmachine tools, and the other of said reversing zones being locatedadjacent said main tool storage device, said endless circulating tooltransport means including an internal tool storage means located betweeneach adjacent pair of machines, each internal storage means comprising acirculating endless member having three reversing zones, one of saidreversing zones being adjacent said main tool storage device and each ofthe others being adjacent a respective one of the adjacent said machinetools for the exchange of tools therewith.

2. An'arrangement according to claim 1 in which said machine tools arearranged in spaced relation and said internal tool storage means isarranged between each adjacent pair of said machine tools, so that bothof the machine tools adjacent thereto have direct access to the toolstherein.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2 in which each of the said machinetools includes two tool transfer devices operable independently of eachother and located on opposite sides of the respective machine tool andadapted for cooperating with an adjacent internal tool storage means.

4. An arrangement according to claim 2 in which each of the said machinetools at the ends of said row has associated therewith an endlesscirculating tool storage means on the opposite side thereof from thenext adjacent machine tool.

5. An arrangement according to claim 1 in which said main tool storagedevice comprises tool transporting carriage means guided for movement ina direction generally parallel to the main tool storage device and aplurality of receiving means for tools, said main storage deviceincluding stationary receiving means for the manual insertion andremoval of tools.

6. An arrangement according to claim 1 in which each said machine toolhas tool transfer devices on the opposite sides thereof and operable fortransferring tools from one machine tool via said tool storage means tothe next adjacent machine tool.

7.. An arrangement according to claim 1 in which each of said machinetools has at least two tool transfer devices of the same design topermit the exchange of tools between the machine tools, and in which atleast two of said machine tools are substantially identical with eachother.

8. An arrangement according to claim 1 in which each said machine toolincludes a workpiece receiving unit, each said unit having at least tworeceiving stations for receiving workpieces, said unit furthermore beingmoveable for selectively presenting workpieces thereon to workingposition in the respective machine tool.

9. An arrangement according to claim 1 which includes workpiececonveying means for each said machine tool and workpiece storage meanscommon to all of said machine tools, said workpiece conveying meansleading from said workpiece storage means to the respective machinetool.

10. An arrangement according to claim 9 in which said workpiececonveying means are in the form of conveyor belts, each machine toolhaving a tool spindle and the belts extending parallel to the spindlesof the respective machine tools, said workpiece storage means extendingsubstantially parallel to said row of machine tools and perpendicular tosaid conveyor belts.

11. An arrangement according to claim 10 in which said workpiece storagemeans has at least two sides and upper and lower levels and includes atransporting carriage on at least one side, said carriage being moveablein the longitudinal direction of said workpiece storage means and alsoin the vertical direction between the upper and lower levels of saidworkpiece storage means.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11 in which the main tool storagedevice extends parallel to said workpiece storage means and adjacentthereto, said main tool storage device and said workpiece storage meansbeing combined as a structural unit.

13. In an arrangement for processing workpieces; a plurality of machinetools, tool storage means associated with said machine tools for thestorage of tools therein, said tool storage means and machine toolsincluding means for the automatic transfer of tools therebetween, saidtool storage means including internal tool storage means and furtherincluding a main tool storage means for all machine tools, a toolchanger means associated with each machine tool and operative to supplyselectively tools from said internal tool storage means to itsparticular machine tool at a time, a tool carriage to transfer toolsbetween said main tool storage means and said internal tool storagemeans, said internal tool storage means lying between adjacent machinetools and being accessible to said tool changer means of both of thesemachine tools so that each of said tool changer means can effect adirect tool interchange between its associated machine tool and saidinternal tool storage means.

14. In an arrangement for processing workpieces; a plurality of machinetools numerically controlled, tool storage means associated with saidmachine tools including a plurality of internal tool storage means and amain tool storage means extending along all said machine tools, toolchanger means operative to supply selectively tools from each internaltool storage means to a machine tool, said tool storage means includinga tool transferring means connecting said internal tool storage means tosaid main tool storage means for transfer of tools between said maintool storage means and any one of said internal tool storage means, eachof said internal tool storage means comprising an endless conveyor tooltransport means adjacent each machine tool, certain of said endlessconveyor tool transport means lying between said tool changer means ofadjacent machine tools to directly interchange tools between saidcertain conveyor means and their adjacent machine tools, each tooltransport means having at least two reversing zones, one of saidreversing zones being located adjacent a respective machine tool for thetransfer of tools therebetween, and another of said reversing zones ofeach tool transport means being located adjacent said main tool storagemeans.

15. An arrangement according to claim 14, in which there are threereversing zones for the endless conveyor of the internal tool storagemeans, said three reversing zones lying at corners ofa substantiallyequidistant triangular configuration.

16. An arrangement according to claim 14 in which said tool transferringmeans includes a transporting rail path extending along the internaltool storage means and stationary magazine included with said main toolstorage means, said stationary magazine providing tool receivinglocations for the tools manually insertable and removable from said maintool storage means.

17. An arrangement according to claim 16 in which said main tool storagemeans and said rail path of said tool transferring means lie parallel toeach other and have substantially the same length.

18. An arrangement according to claim 17 in which said tool transferringmeans lies between said main tool storage means and said internal toolstorage means.

19. An arrangement according to claim 14 in which adjacent machine toolshave respectively identical tool receiving locations relative to eachother.

20. An arrangement according to claim 14 in which workpiece conveyingmeans for each said machine tool are provided and workpiece storagemeans common to all of said machine tools, said workpiece conveyingmeans leading from said workpiece storage means to the respectivemachine tool.

21. An arrangement according to claim 20, in which said workpiececonveying means are at least substantially parallel to axes of toolspindles of the machine tools.

22. An arrangement according to claim 21 in which said workpiececonveying means are arranged at right angles to a longitudinal side ofsaid workpiece storage means.

23. An arrangement according to claim 22 in which work piecetransporting carriage means are provided to move in longitudinaldirection of the longitudinal side of said work piece storage means.

24. An arrangement according to claim 23 in which said workpiece storagemeans has at least two levels and said work piece transporting carriageis movable at such levels.

1. In an arrangement for processing workpieces; a plurality of machinetools arranged in a row, conveyor means to move workpieces successivelyto said machine tools for being processed therein, and tool storagemeans associated with said machines for the storage of tools therein,said tool storage means and machine tools including means for theautomatic transfer of tools therebetween, said tool storage meanscomprising at least one endless circulating tool transport meansadjacent each said machine tool, each tool transport means having atleast two reversing zones, one of said reversing zones being locatedadjacent the respective machine tool for the transfer of toolstherebetween, a main tool storage device extending along all of saidmachine tools, and the other of said reversing zones being locatedadjacent said main tool storage device, said endless circulating tooltransport means including an internal tool storage means located betweeneach adjacent pair of machines, each internal storage means comprising acirculating endless member having three reversing zones, one of saidreversing zones being adjacent said main tool storage device and each ofthe others being adjacent a respective one of the adjacent said machinetools for the exchange of tools therewith.
 2. An arrangement accordingto claim 1 in which said machine tools are arranged in spaced relationand said internal tool storage means is arranged between each adjacentpair of said machine tools, so that both of the machine tools adjacentthereto have direct access to the tools therein.
 3. An arrangementaccording to claim 2 in which each of the said machine tools includestwo tool transfer devices operable independently of each other andlocated on opposite sides of the respective machine tool and adapted forcooperating with an adjacent internal tool storage means.
 4. Anarrangement according to claim 2 in which each of the said machine toolsat the ends of said row has associated therewith an endless circulatingtool storage means on the opposite side thereof from the next adjacentmachine tool.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 1 in which said maintool storage device comprises tool transporting carriage means guidedfor movement in a direction Generally parallel to the main tool storagedevice and a plurality of receiving means for tools, said main storagedevice including stationary receiving means for the manual insertion andremoval of tools.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 1 in which eachsaid machine tool has tool transfer devices on the opposite sidesthereof and operable for transferring tools from one machine tool viasaid tool storage means to the next adjacent machine tool.
 7. Anarrangement according to claim 1 in which each of said machine tools hasat least two tool transfer devices of the same design to permit theexchange of tools between the machine tools, and in which at least twoof said machine tools are substantially identical with each other.
 8. Anarrangement according to claim 1 in which each said machine toolincludes a workpiece receiving unit, each said unit having at least tworeceiving stations for receiving workpieces, said unit furthermore beingmoveable for selectively presenting workpieces thereon to workingposition in the respective machine tool.
 9. An arrangement according toclaim 1 which includes workpiece conveying means for each said machinetool and workpiece storage means common to all of said machine tools,said workpiece conveying means leading from said workpiece storage meansto the respective machine tool.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 9in which said workpiece conveying means are in the form of conveyorbelts, each machine tool having a tool spindle and the belts extendingparallel to the spindles of the respective machine tools, said workpiecestorage means extending substantially parallel to said row of machinetools and perpendicular to said conveyor belts.
 11. An arrangementaccording to claim 10 in which said workpiece storage means has at leasttwo sides and upper and lower levels and includes a transportingcarriage on at least one side, said carriage being moveable in thelongitudinal direction of said workpiece storage means and also in thevertical direction between the upper and lower levels of said workpiecestorage means.
 12. An arrangement according to claim 11 in which themain tool storage device extends parallel to said workpiece storagemeans and adjacent thereto, said main tool storage device and saidworkpiece storage means being combined as a structural unit.
 13. In anarrangement for processing workpieces; a plurality of machine tools,tool storage means associated with said machine tools for the storage oftools therein, said tool storage means and machine tools including meansfor the automatic transfer of tools therebetween, said tool storagemeans including internal tool storage means and further including a maintool storage means for all machine tools, a tool changer meansassociated with each machine tool and operative to supply selectivelytools from said internal tool storage means to its particular machinetool at a time, a tool carriage to transfer tools between said main toolstorage means and said internal tool storage means, said internal toolstorage means lying between adjacent machine tools and being accessibleto said tool changer means of both of these machine tools so that eachof said tool changer means can effect a direct tool interchange betweenits associated machine tool and said internal tool storage means.
 14. Inan arrangement for processing workpieces; a plurality of machine toolsnumerically controlled, tool storage means associated with said machinetools including a plurality of internal tool storage means and a maintool storage means extending along all said machine tools, tool changermeans operative to supply selectively tools from each internal toolstorage means to a machine tool, said tool storage means including atool transferring means connecting said internal tool storage means tosaid main tool storage means for transfer of tools between said maintool storage means and any one of said internal tool storage means, eachof said internal tool storage means coMprising an endless conveyor tooltransport means adjacent each machine tool, certain of said endlessconveyor tool transport means lying between said tool changer means ofadjacent machine tools to directly interchange tools between saidcertain conveyor means and their adjacent machine tools, each tooltransport means having at least two reversing zones, one of saidreversing zones being located adjacent a respective machine tool for thetransfer of tools therebetween, and another of said reversing zones ofeach tool transport means being located adjacent said main tool storagemeans.
 15. An arrangement according to claim 14, in which there arethree reversing zones for the endless conveyor of the internal toolstorage means, said three reversing zones lying at corners of asubstantially equidistant triangular configuration.
 16. An arrangementaccording to claim 14 in which said tool transferring means includes atransporting rail path extending along the internal tool storage meansand stationary magazine included with said main tool storage means, saidstationary magazine providing tool receiving locations for the toolsmanually insertable and removable from said main tool storage means. 17.An arrangement according to claim 16 in which said main tool storagemeans and said rail path of said tool transferring means lie parallel toeach other and have substantially the same length.
 18. An arrangementaccording to claim 17 in which said tool transferring means lies betweensaid main tool storage means and said internal tool storage means. 19.An arrangement according to claim 14 in which adjacent machine toolshave respectively identical tool receiving locations relative to eachother.
 20. An arrangement according to claim 14 in which workpiececonveying means for each said machine tool are provided and workpiecestorage means common to all of said machine tools, said workpiececonveying means leading from said workpiece storage means to therespective machine tool.
 21. An arrangement according to claim 20, inwhich said workpiece conveying means are at least substantially parallelto axes of tool spindles of the machine tools.
 22. An arrangementaccording to claim 21 in which said workpiece conveying means arearranged at right angles to a longitudinal side of said workpiecestorage means.
 23. An arrangement according to claim 22 in which workpiece transporting carriage means are provided to move in longitudinaldirection of the longitudinal side of said work piece storage means. 24.An arrangement according to claim 23 in which said workpiece storagemeans has at least two levels and said work piece transporting carriageis movable at such levels.